707 research outputs found
Applications of Machine-Learning Algorithms for Infrared Colour Selection of Galactic Wolf-Rayet Stars
We have investigated and applied machine-learning algorithms for Infrared
Colour Selection of Galactic Wolf-Rayet (WR) candidates. Objects taken from the
GLIMPSE catalogue of the infrared objects in the Galactic plane can be
classified into different stellar populations based on the colours inferred
from their broadband photometric magnitudes (, and from 2MASS, and
the four \textit{Spitzer}/IRAC bands). The algorithms tested in this pilot
study are variants of the -Nearest Neighbours (-NN) approach, which is
ideal for exploratory studies of classification problems where interrelations
between variables and classes are complicated. The aims of this study are (1)
to provide an automated tool to select reliable WR candidates and potentially
other classes of objects, (2) to measure the efficiency of infrared colour
selection at performing these tasks and, (3) to lay the groundwork for
statistically inferring the total number of WR stars in our Galaxy. We report
the performance results obtained over a set of known objects and selected
candidates for which we have carried out follow-up spectroscopic observations,
and confirm the discovery of 4 new WR stars.Comment: Authors' version of published paper, now at MNRAS, 473, 256
Possible Recovery of SN 1961V In Hubble Space Telescope Archival Images
SN 1961V in NGC 1058 was originally classified by Fritz Zwicky as a ``Type
V'' supernova. However, it has been argued that SN 1961V was not a genuine
supernova, but instead the superoutburst of an eta Carinae-like luminous blue
variable star. In particular, Filippenko et al. (1995, AJ, 110, 2261) used
pre-refurbishment HST WFPC images and the known radio position of SN 1961V to
conclude that the star survived the eruption and is likely coincident with a V
\~ 25.6 mag, V-I ~ 1.9 mag object. Recently, Stockdale et al. (2001, AJ, 122,
283) recovered the fading SN 1961V at radio wavelengths and argue that its
behavior is similar that of some Type II supernovae. We have analyzed
post-refurbishment archival HST WFPC2 data and find that the new radio position
is still consistent with the Filippenko et al. object, which has not changed in
brightness or color, but is also consistent with an adjacent, fainter (I ~ 24.3
mag) and very red (V-I > 1.0 mag) object. We suggest that this fainter object
could be the survivor of SN 1961V. Forthcoming HST observations may settle this
issue.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, to appear in the PASP (2002 July issue
qTorch: The Quantum Tensor Contraction Handler
Classical simulation of quantum computation is necessary for studying the
numerical behavior of quantum algorithms, as there does not yet exist a large
viable quantum computer on which to perform numerical tests. Tensor network
(TN) contraction is an algorithmic method that can efficiently simulate some
quantum circuits, often greatly reducing the computational cost over methods
that simulate the full Hilbert space. In this study we implement a tensor
network contraction program for simulating quantum circuits using multi-core
compute nodes. We show simulation results for the Max-Cut problem on 3- through
7-regular graphs using the quantum approximate optimization algorithm (QAOA),
successfully simulating up to 100 qubits. We test two different methods for
generating the ordering of tensor index contractions: one is based on the tree
decomposition of the line graph, while the other generates ordering using a
straight-forward stochastic scheme. Through studying instances of QAOA
circuits, we show the expected result that as the treewidth of the quantum
circuit's line graph decreases, TN contraction becomes significantly more
efficient than simulating the whole Hilbert space. The results in this work
suggest that tensor contraction methods are superior only when simulating
Max-Cut/QAOA with graphs of regularities approximately five and below. Insight
into this point of equal computational cost helps one determine which
simulation method will be more efficient for a given quantum circuit. The
stochastic contraction method outperforms the line graph based method only when
the time to calculate a reasonable tree decomposition is prohibitively
expensive. Finally, we release our software package, qTorch (Quantum TensOR
Contraction Handler), intended for general quantum circuit simulation.Comment: 21 pages, 8 figure
Early-time Spitzer observations of the type II-Plateau supernova, 2004dj
We present mid-infrared observations with the Spitzer Space Telescope of the
nearby type II-P supernova, SN 2004dj, at epochs of 89 to 129 days. We have
obtained the first mid-IR spectra of any supernova apart from SN 1987A. A
prominent [NiII] 6.64 micron line is observed, from which we deduce that the
mass of stable nickel must be at least 2.2e10(-4) Msun. We also observe the red
wing of the CO-fundamental band. We relate our findings to possible progenitors
and favour an evolved star, most likely a red supergiant, with a probable
initial mass between ~10 and 15 Msun.Comment: ApJ Letters (accepted
Window films increase avoidance of collisions by birds but only when applied to external compared with internal surfaces of windows
Window collisions are one of the largest human-caused causes of avian mortality in built environments and, therefore, cause population declines that can be a significant conservation issue. Applications of visibly noticeable films, patterns, and decals on the external surfaces of windows have been associated with reductions in both window collisions and avian mortality. It is often logistically difficult and economically prohibitive to apply these films and decals to external surfaces, especially if the windows are above the first floor of a building. Therefore, there is interest and incentive to apply the products to internal surfaces that are much easier to reach and maintain. However, there is debate as to whether application to the internal surface of windows renders any collision-reduction benefit, as the patterns on the films and decals may not be sufficiently visible to birds. To address this knowledge gap, we performed the first experimental study to compare the effectiveness of two distinct window films when applied to either the internal or external surface of double-glazed windows. Specifically, we assessed whether Haverkamp and BirdShades window film products were effective in promoting the avoidance of window collisions (and by inference, a reduction of collisions) by zebra finches through controlled aviary flight trials employing a repeated- measures design that allowed us to isolate the effect of the window treatments on avoidance flight behaviors. We chose these two products because they engage with different wavelengths of light (and by inference, colors) visible to many songbirds: the BirdShades film is visible in the ultraviolet (shorter wavelength) range, while the Haverkamp film includes signals in the orange (longer wavelength) range. We found consistent evidence that, when applied to the external surface of windows, the BirdShades product resulted in reduced likelihood of collision and there was marginal evidence of this effect with the Haverkamp film. Specifically, in our collision avoidance trials, BirdShades increased window avoidance by 47% and the Haverkamp increased avoidance by 39%. However, neither product was effective when the films were applied to the internal surface of windows. Hence, it is imperative that installers apply these products to exterior surfaces of windows to render their protective benefits and reduce the risk of daytime window collision
The Radio Evolution of SN 2001gd
We present the results of observations of the radio emission from Supernova
2001gd in NGC 5033 from 2002 February 8 through 2006 September 25. The data
were obtained using the Very Large Array at wavelengths of 1.3 cm (22.4 GHz), 2
cm (14.9 GHz), 3.6 cm (8.4 GHz), 6 cm (4.9 GHz), and 20 cm (1.5 GHz), with one
upper limit at 90 cm (0.3 GHz). In addition, one detection has been provided by
the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope at 21 cm (1.4 GHz). SN 2001gd was
discovered in the optical well past maximum light, so that it was not possible
to obtain many of the early radio "turn-on" measurements which are important
for estimating the local circumstellar medium (CSM) properties. Only at 20 cm
were turn-on data available. However, our analysis and fitting of the radio
light curves, and the assumption that the Type IIb SN 2001gd resembles the much
better studied Type IIb SN 1993J, enables us to describe the radio evolution as
being very regular through day ~550 and consistent with a nonthermal-emitting
model with a thermal absorbing CSM. The presence of synchrotron-self absorption
(SSA) at early times is implied by the data, but determination of the exact
relationship between the SSA component from the emitting region and the
free-free absorption component from the CSM is not possible as there are
insufficient early measurements to distinguish between models. After day ~550,
the radio emission exhibits a dramatically steeper decline rate which, assuming
similarity to SN 1993J, can be described as an exponential decrease with an
e-folding time of 500 days. We interpret this abrupt change in the radio flux
density decline rate as implying a transition of the shock front into a more
tenuous region of circumstellar material. A similar change in radio evolution
has been seen earlier in other SNe such as SN 1988Z, SN 1980K, and SN 1993J.Comment: 3 tables, 2 figures, To appear in the Astrophysical Journa
Radio Observations of SN 1980K: Evidence for Rapid Presupernova Evolution
New observations of SN 1980K made with the VLA at 20 and 6 cm from 1994 April
through 1996 October show that the supernova (SN) has undergone a significant
change in its radio emission evolution, dropping by a factor of ~2 below the
flux density S \propto t^{-0.73} power-law decline with time t observed
earlier. However, although S at all observed frequencies has decreased
significantly, its current spectral index of \alpha= -0.42\pm0.15 (S \propto
\nu^{+\alpha}) is consistent with the previous spectral index of
\alpha=-0.60_{-0.07}^{+0.04}.
It is suggested that this decrease in emission may be due to the SN shock
entering a new region of the circumstellar material which has a lower density
than that expected for a constant speed (w), constant mass-loss rate (Mdot)
wind from the progenitor. If such an interpretation is correct, the difference
in wind and shock speeds appears to indicate a significant evolution in the
mass-loss history of the SN progenitor ~10^4 years before explosion, with a
change in circumstellar density (\propto Mdot/w) occurring over a time span of
\lesssim 4 kyr. Such features could be explained in terms of a fast
``blue-loop'' evolutionary phase of a relatively massive pre-SN progenitor
star. If so, we may, for the first time, provide a stringent constraint on the
mass of the SN progenitor based solely on the SN's radio emission.Comment: 22 pages, 3 figures, to appear in Ap
IgE in the diagnosis and treatment of allergic disease
Traditionally, the concept of allergy implied an abnormal response to an otherwise benign agent (eg, pollen or food), with an easily identifiable relationship between exposure and disease. However, there are syndromes in which the relationship between exposure to the relevant allergen and the âallergicâ disease is not clear. In these cases the presence of specific IgE antibodies can play an important role in identifying the relevant allergen and provide a guide to therapy. Good examples include chronic asthma and exposure to perennial indoor allergens and asthma related to fungal infection. Finally, we are increasingly aware of forms of food allergy in which the relationship between exposure and the disease is delayed by 3 to 6 hours or longer. Three forms of food allergy with distinct clinical features are now well recognized. These are (1) anaphylactic sensitivity to peanut, (2) eosinophilic esophagitis related to cowâs milk, and (3) delayed anaphylaxis to red meat. In these syndromes the immunology of the response is dramatically different. Peanut and galactose α-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal) are characterized by high- or very high-titer IgE antibodies for Ara h 2 and alpha-gal, respectively. By contrast, eosinophilic esophagitis is characterized by low levels of IgE specific for milk proteins with high- or very high-titer IgG4 to the same proteins. The recent finding is that patients with alpha-gal syndrome do not have detectable IgG4 to the oligosaccharide. Thus the serum results not only identify relevant antigens but also provide a guide to the nature of the immune response
Spitzer measurements of atomic and molecular abundances in the Type IIP SN 2005af
We present results based on Spitzer Space Telescope mid-infrared (3.6-30
micron) observations of the nearby IIP supernova 2005af. We report the first
ever detection of the SiO molecule in a Type IIP supernova. Together with the
detection of the CO fundamental, this is an exciting finding as it may signal
the onset of dust condensation in the ejecta. From a wealth of fine-structure
lines we provide abundance estimates for stable Ni, Ar, and Ne which, via
spectral synthesis, may be used to constrain nucleosynthesis models.Comment: ApJ Letters (accepted
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